Five Arrested for Impersonating KCSE Candidates as Education CS Condemns Exam Malpractice

The Ministry of Education has confirmed that at least five people have been arrested in Nairobi and other regions for allegedly impersonating candidates in the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, speaking on Wednesday morning during the official opening of an exam container at the Dagoretti Sub-County office, condemned the incidents, describing them as a “foolish act” that undermines the integrity of national exams and jeopardizes students’ futures

“It is regrettable that a few individuals have attempted to engage in examination malpractice despite repeated warnings,” said Ogamba

“There are situations in Nairobi and other parts of the country where five or so people were arrested impersonating as students. This is despite the fact that each exam script bears the student’s photo”

The CS warned that anyone including teachers or officials found complicit in exam malpractice would face deregistration and criminal charges

He assured the public that the ministry would not tolerate any attempt to sabotage students’ futures or the credibility of Kenya’s national certification system

Ogamba further revealed that a multi-agency security team has been deployed across the country to safeguard examination materials and ensure accountability throughout the process

“I’ve directed that all those arrested appear in court. Legal action is being taken against them, and every Friday we shall release reports detailing arrests and actions taken,” he stated

Despite the incidents, the CS noted that the KCSE exams are progressing smoothly. The ministry recently concluded other national assessments, including the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) the latter marking the first transition to senior school under the new Competency-Based Education (CBE) system

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Ogamba also announced that guidelines for implementing Senior School Education will be released soon to prepare schools for the 2026 transition to Grade 10

Meanwhile, the ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Interior, county governments, and disaster-response agencies to ensure the secure delivery of exam materials in areas affected by floods and poor weather

“We have activated alternative transportation routes, established temporary collection and distribution points, and deployed helicopters to ensure no candidate misses their exams,” he assured

KCSE exams are ongoing nationwide, with candidates sitting for Chemistry in the morning session and English in the afternoon

Writer : Mweru Mbugua